Implementations of the disclosure describe systems and methods for a user that interacts with an interface for playback/consumption of media content (e.g. video, audio, e-book text, etc.) to be accurately guided back to one or more positions on a scrubber. Current scrubber positions (e.g., timecodes) may be dynamically saved each time that a user interacts with the scrubber. Thereafter, the saved position may be used to help guide the user back to their previous position along the scrubber. In some implementations, a scrubber may snap back to a saved position if it is within a predetermined threshold distance of the saved position. In some implementations, sensory cues such as haptic, visual, and/or auditory feedback may be provided when the scrubber snaps back to a saved position.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A computer-implemented method, comprising: during playback of media content, receiving a first user input specifying to move a scrubber from a first playback position to a desired playback position, wherein the first playback position comprises a current playback position at a first point in time, and wherein the scrubber is displayed on a content playback graphical user interface; dynamically saving the first playback position based on the first user input; causing playback of the media content to jump to the desired playback position; during playback of the media content, receiving a second user input specifying to move the scrubber from a second playback position subsequent to the desired playback position to a third playback position different from the first playback position, wherein the second playback position comprises a current playback position at a second point in time: dynamically saving the second playback position based on the second user input; determining, by operation of one or more computer processors, that the third playback position is within a threshold distance of the first playback position; snapping the scrubber to the first playback position; and causing playback of the media content to jump back to the first playback position.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising: providing haptic feedback, visual feedback, or aural feedback indicating that the scrubber was snapped to the first playback position.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , wherein the haptic feedback is provided by actuating a haptic motor in a handheld device.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first user input or the second user input is received via a touchscreen mobile device, a remote control, or a video game console controller.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the first user input corresponds to a user swiping the scrubber from the first playback position to the desired playback position via a touchscreen mobile device.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the threshold distance comprises a predetermined temporal distance or a predetermined positional distance.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein each current position is dynamically saved upon each user interaction with the scrubber, whereby the first playback position and the second playback position are user-specified, and wherein the computer-implemented method further comprises: during playback of the media content, receiving a third user input specifying to move the scrubber from a fourth playback position subsequent to the first playback position to a fifth playback position different from the second playback position, wherein the fourth playback position comprises a current playback position at a third point in time, and whereby the fourth playback position is user-specified; dynamically saving the fourth playback position based on the third user input; determining that the fifth playback position is within a threshold distance of the second playback position; snapping the scrubber to the second playback position; and causing playback of the media content to jump to the second playback position.
8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, wherein the instructions are executable to perform operations of: during playback of media content, receiving a first user input specifying to move a scrubber from a first playback position to a desired playback position, wherein the first playback position comprises a current playback position at a first point in time, and wherein the scrubber is displayed on a content playback graphical user interface; dynamically saving the first playback position based on the first user input; causing playback of the media content to jump to the desired playback position; during playback of the media content, receiving a second user input specifying to move the scrubber from a second playback position subsequent to the desired playback position to a third playback position different from the first playback position, wherein the second playback position comprises a current playback position at a second point in time; dynamically saving the second playback position based on the second user input; determining, by one or more computer processors when executing the instructions, that the third playback position is within a threshold distance of the first playback position; snapping the scrubber to the first playback position; and causing playback of the media content to jump back to the first playback position.
9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the instructions are further executable to perform an operation of: providing haptic feedback, visual feedback, or aural feedback indicating that the scrubber was snapped to the first playback position.
10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the haptic feedback is provided by actuating a haptic motor in a handheld device.
11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first user input or the second user input is received via a touchscreen mobile device, a remote control, or a video game console controller.
12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the first user input corresponds to a user swiping the scrubber from the first playback position to the desired playback position via a touchscreen mobile device.
13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the threshold distance comprises a predetermined temporal distance or a predetermined positional distance.
14. A system, comprising: one or more computer processors; and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, wherein the instructions are executable by the one or more computer processors to perform operations of: during playback of media content, receiving a first user input specifying to move a scrubber from a first playback position to a desired playback position, wherein the first playback position comprises a current playback position at a first point in time, and wherein the scrubber is displayed on a content playback graphical user interface; dynamically saving the first playback position based on the first user input; causing playback of the media content to jump to the desired playback position; during playback of the media content, receiving a second user input specifying to move the scrubber from a second playback position subsequent to the desired playback position to a third playback position different from the first playback position, wherein the second playback position comprises a current playback position at a second point in time; dynamically saving the second playback position based on the second user input; determining that the third playback position is within a threshold distance of the first playback position; snapping the scrubber to the first playback position; and causing playback of the media content to jump back to the first playback position.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the instructions are executable by the one or more computer processors to perform further operations of: providing haptic feedback, visual feedback, or aural feedback indicating that the scrubber was snapped to the first playback position.
16. The system of claim 15 , further comprising a haptic motor in a handheld device configured to be actuated to provide the haptic feedback.
17. The system of claim 14 , further comprising at least one of a touchscreen mobile device, a remote control, or a video game console controller configured to provide at least one of the first user input or the second user input.
18. The system of claim 14 , further comprising a touchscreen mobile device, wherein the first user input corresponds to a user swiping the scrubber from the first playback position to the desired playback position via the touchscreen mobile device.
19. The system of claim 14 , wherein the threshold distance comprises a predetermined temporal distance or a predetermined positional distance.
20. The system of claim 14 , wherein the instructions are executable by the one or more computer processors to perform further operations of: prior to receiving the first user input, causing display of the scrubber; and causing the scrubber to be hidden from view upon determining that a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the scrubber was displayed.
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May 16, 2018
April 13, 2021
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